Improvement in latches



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Leners raam No. 84,227, dated November 1-7, 186s.

IMPROVEMENT IN LATCHES.

*MOH* The 'Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the annie.

To all whom, it may concern:

Figure 2, a like view of saine, having both the iront knob andits collar removed, and the catch-bolt retracted; Figure 3, a transverse section of the collar; and

Figure 4, the same lock or fastening, havingits outside knob, collar, and face-plate removed.

Like letters of reference indicate the same parts when in the different figures.

The object of my improvement is to alford a more simply-constructed and reliable secret lock, to be operated Without a key, for securely fastening barn or stabledoors, gates, v'dr/c. and

My invention consists, as hereinafter described and specified, in so constructing, arranging, and combining together the shank-of ythe outside knob, its collar, the face-plate, and the catch-bolt with the body or frame of the lock, that the said catch-bolt cannot be moved or retracted by any one on the outside of the door or gate without first properly adjusting the Vsaid 'collar 'and moving the said face-plate for the purpose.

Referring to the drawings, A B is the body or frame of the lock'or fastening; C, the shank of the outside knob; D, the collar; E, the face-plate of the lock; and F, the catch-bolt of thesame. The shank C of the outside knob is fixed rigidly in the back plate of the body or frame A B, and projects perpendicularly forward through a slot, f', in the catchbolt F, and also through a corresponding slot, e', in the face-plate E, where it enters and is fixed rigidly in the usual knob, (not shown in the dra\vings,) with the collar D between the said face-plate and knob.

The collar D iits loosely around the shank O and upon the face-plateE, so that it can be readily turned by ones thumb and finger partly around the shank C, the limits of its motion, in either direction, being controlled by a slot, e, made partly concentric and partly horizontal or straight inthe plate E, and a short stud, d', on the under side of D.

. The face-plate E is fitted within the front edges of the frame or body A B, so that it can be slid horizon- Altaly outward, by hand, a distance equal to the length of the projecting end, f, of the catch-bolt F, the slot f in the said catch-bolt and the slot e in the face-plate E allowing the said face-plate and bolt to move past the xed shank C.

The catch-bolt F is constantly being pressed forward by a spring, G, acting against its rear end, f, and is retracted by ones drawing the sliding face-plate E outward, a short stud, e, (see dotted line in iig; 2,) on the under side of the latter, resting in the rear end of the slot f' of the bolt F, for the purpose.

The bolt F is operated from the inside of the building or enclosure by a knob fixed on a rotary shank, which operates a cross-piece, o, against the inner sides of projecting arms, fif, at the rear end f of the catch bolt F, in the usual well-known manner.

In the operation of this lock or fastening by a person onthe outside of the door or gate, it will be seen that, if the collar D be turned so as to bring its stud,

cl', to the lower end of the concentric portion of thel slot e, (see dotted line lw, fig. 1,) the catch-bolt F can then be drawn back by sliding the plate E outward, the stud d sliding along to the end of the straight portion of the said slot, (see x, fig. 2,) and that, when released, the slide E and bolt F will be forced back again to their-original position by the reaction of the spring G.

It will also be seen that if the collar D be then turned in an opposite direction Auntil its stud, d', reaches the upper end of the concentric portion of slot c, neither the slide E nor the bolt F can be retracted by any one on the outside of the door or gate, and that therefore a proper adjustment of the collar D will always be a prerequisite in order to retract the bolt F.

A fastening of this sort is very desirable for stabledoors and gates, as a key will not be required to beat hand or carried in ones pocket for opening them, and the particular adjustment required of the collar D for the purpose, is simple, ready, and yet not likely to be observed or understood by a thief or a stranger.-

Having-thus fully described 'my improvement in secret locks or fastenings for stable-doors, gates, Soc.,

What I claim as new therein, of my invention, and desire to'secu-re by LettersPatent, is confined to the following, viz:

I'elaim the sliding face-plate E, with-its slots c' and c, in-combination- 'with the loose collar D, the iiXed shank C, and the sliding spring-bolt F, the said parts being constrlicted'and arranged iso. as to operate as andfor the purpose described.

ALBERT SPAN GLER.

Witnesses:

Barra. MomsoN,

WM'. H. Monrson. 

